Baked Salsa Chicken is an easy, delicious meal with cheesy, saucy chicken and simple ingredients. It's a dish that feels comforting and comes together fast. Great for busy nights when you want something satisfying without the hassle.
This chicken salsa recipe is packed with flavor and ready to enjoy in 40 minutes! Cream cheese-stuffed chicken breasts are baked on a bed of black beans and corn, smothered in salsa, and finished with melty cheddar cheese. I've made this on nights when we need something hearty but hassle-free-it's always a hit and works perfectly as a cheesy salsa chicken with rice meal or served with tortillas.
If you loved the bold flavors in this dish, you'll want to try these other Mexican-inspired favorites next, like sheet pan steak fajitas, beef taco rice, and ground beef enchiladas.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: With just a few simple steps and one baking dish, this chicken and salsa recipe comes together quickly, making it great for busy weeknights.
- Big Flavor: Cream cheese, salsa, and spices create a bold, creamy, and cheesy combo that tastes like comfort food, kind of like this chicken taco casserole!
- Family Friendly: Even picky eaters love this cheesy chicken and salsa, and it pairs easily with rice, tortillas, or chips.
- Customizable: Add spice, swap cheeses, or toss in veggies to make it your own.
Ingredients
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Use fresh or thawed chicken breasts of medium thickness so they bake evenly. Slicing a pocket for the cream cheese adds flavor and moisture, which is key for a juicy chicken salsa bake.
- Cream Cheese: Soften before using, so it spreads easily inside the chicken. The creamy texture balances the bold salsa and keeps the chicken tender during baking.
- Chunky Salsa: Choose your favorite store-bought chunky salsa-mild, medium, or hot, based on your taste. It creates a flavorful, saucy base that keeps the chicken moist as it bakes.
- Black Beans and Canned Corn: Drain both and rinse the beans before using. Sweet corn adds color and texture and balances the spice from the salsa and the beans bring heartiness and extra protein to this salsa chicken bake.
- Cheddar Cheese: Use pre-shredded or shred your own for better melt and flavor. Added at the end, it gives the dish its rich, cheesy finish-essential for a truly cheesy chicken with salsa dish.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Make It Spicy: Use a hot salsa, add sliced jalapeños on top before baking, or sprinkle in some crushed red pepper flakes with the seasonings for extra heat.
- Add Veggies: Layer in chopped bell peppers, zucchini, or baby spinach with the corn and beans to boost nutrients and add color.
- Shredded Chicken Version: Use pre-cooked shredded chicken, or rotisserie chicken works great. Mix it with cream cheese and salsa, then bake over the corn and beans for a quick, casserole-style dish.
- Taco Seasoning Boost: Add a teaspoon of taco seasoning with the spices to give this easy salsa chicken an extra flavor punch and a more classic Tex-Mex twist.
This cheesy taco pie and taco mac and cheese are other family friendly meals with similar flavors you should try!
How to Make Salsa Chicken
This salsa chicken recipe comes together quickly with just a few simple steps. Before you start, preheat your oven to 375℉ and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish to keep everything from sticking.
- Step 1: Prepare the Base. Drain the canned corn and black beans and spread them evenly in the bottom of the baking dish. This will create a flavorful bed for the chicken to bake on.
- Step 2: Stuff the Chicken. Slice a pocket into each chicken breast and fill it with a quarter of the softened cream cheese. This adds creaminess and keeps the chicken juicy while baking.
- Step 3: Add Seasoning, Salsa and Bake. Season both sides of the chicken. Then, pour the chunky salsa evenly over the chicken and spread it gently to cover. Bake the salsa chicken in the oven uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165℉.
- Step 4: Add Cheese and Finish Baking. Remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken. Return it to the oven for another 5 minutes to cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve your baked salsa chicken over cooked plain or Mexican-style rice or with tortillas for a hearty, satisfying meal. Enjoy!
Hint: Double the Salsa
If you like it saucier, pour an extra half cup of salsa around the chicken before baking to keep everything extra moist.
Expert Tips
- Use a meat thermometer: To ensure your chicken is perfectly cooked, bake until the internal temperature reaches 165℉. This prevents undercooking or drying out.
- Don't overfill the chicken pockets: Stuffing too much cream cheese can cause the filling to spill out during baking. Use just enough to keep it creamy without making a mess.
- Drain canned ingredients well: Make sure to drain and rinse the black beans and corn thoroughly to avoid excess liquid that could make the dish soggy.
- Let it rest before serving: After baking, let the chicken with salsa sit for 5 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute and makes slicing or serving easier.
- Prepare ahead: Assemble the dish up to the point before baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add cheese and bake fresh when ready for the best results.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This dish also freezes well, place it in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the microwave on medium power in 30- to 60-second intervals until warmed through or reheat in the oven at 350℉ until heated through, about 20 minutes. For frozen portions, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
This best salsa chicken recipe is versatile enough for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or festive gatherings, just pair it with your favorite fresh and flavorful sides.
- Plan a festive Mexican night and pair this salsa chicken with flavorful sides like taco dip with refried beans and fresh tomato salsa with chips.
- It's also a great option for potlucks. Pair it with a fresh bruschetta pasta salad for a flavorful, crowd-pleasing combination.
- Repurpose the leftovers as a filling for a quesadilla or quick chicken wrap!
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Add the chicken, corn, beans, salsa, and seasonings to the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Stir in the cream cheese during the last 30 minutes, then sprinkle shredded cheese on top just before serving so it melts nicely.
Choose a chunky salsa with your preferred heat level-mild, medium, or hot. A good-quality store-bought salsa works well and adds plenty of flavor without extra prep. Avoid very watery salsas to keep the dish from becoming soggy.
Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well and stay juicy. Adjust the baking time slightly as thighs may take a bit longer to cook.
More Delicious Chicken Recipes
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Salsa Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 (15.25 ounce) can of whole kernel corn drained
- 1 (15.25 ounce) can black beans drained and rinsed
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened and divided into 4 equal parts
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups chunky salsa
- ¾ cup cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375℉. Then, spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray,
- Add corn and black beans to the baking dish and mix until well combined.
- Slice a slit in the side of the chicken breast and spread ¼ of the cream cheese in the center of each piece of chicken.
- Season both sides of the chicken with black pepper, cumin, and onion powder. Then, place on the black beans and corn.
- Sprinkle garlic over the chicken and pour salsa over the top, spreading it evenly.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165℉.
- Remove and top with shredded cheese. Bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
- Serve over rice and enjoy!
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to bake the chicken until it reaches 165℉ for perfectly cooked, juicy results.
- Drain and rinse canned beans and corn well to prevent excess liquid and keep the dish from getting soggy.
- This recipe can be assembled ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking to save time.
- Leftovers are stored well in the fridge for 3-4 days and frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw before reheating gently in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
Ryan Allen
The salsa chicken is creamy, tangy and oh so good. It definitely does not disapoint.